[Updated: February 3, 2024] As reported earlier, actor Vijay announced the registration of his political party with the Election Comission of India on February 2, 2024. As suspected, the Tamil star actor has let go of his fan-club name Vijay Makkal Iyakaam (VMI) and announced his party's name as Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay has also officially confirmed that he will be contesting in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. 

English translation of Vijay's announcement of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam political party follows:

"My humble regards to all dear people of Tamil Nadu.

 

You are all aware that for many years, Vijay Makkal Iyakaam has been doing various welfare schemes, social services and relief assistance to the best of its abilities. However, to bring about complete social, economic and political reforms - which a voluntary organization alone cannot do, it requires political power.

 

As you all know that the current political environment - with its administrative malpractices and a corrupt political culture on one hand, and a divisive political culture that strives to divide our people on the lines of caste and religion, on the other - are full of obstacles to our unity and progress. It is a fact that everyone especially in Tamil Nadu is yearning for a fundamental political change that can lead to a selfless, openly caste-divide-free, a visionary bribery-and-corruption-free efficient administration. Most importantly, such a politics should be bound by our Indian Constitution, depend on state rights of Tamil Nadu, and in tune with this soil, be based on the egalitarian principle of "All life born are equal by birth". Such a fundamental political change can only be made possible by a people's power that has the unanimous admiration and love of the people. 

 

In such a situation, it is my long-term intention and desire to provide even more wholesome help the people of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil society - who have given me name, fame and everything after my parents, to the best of my abilities. A Valluvan (Thiruvalluvar) saying goes, "Think before you act". Accordingly, a political party led by me has been started under the name 'Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam', and an application has been submitted today on behalf of my party for registration with the Chief Election Commission of India. Earlier on 25.01.2024 the state general committee and executive committee meeting held in Chennai elected the party's president and chief executives; The party constitution and bylaws were formally approved and accepted by all general committee members.

 

Our goal is to contest and win the upcoming 2026 assembly elections and lead to the fundamental political change that people want. After getting the approval of the Election Commission, once the upcoming general elections are over, our political journey for the people of Tamil Nadu will begin with public meetings, presenting our party's principles, bylaws, flag, symbol and action plans for the success of Tamil Nadu-related policies and the upliftment of the people of Tamil Nadu.

 

In the interim period, the tasks of politicizing our party's volunteers and bringing them to organizational readiness, electing the officials democratically under the 3 party's rules and strengthening the infrastructure will be actively implemented. Application for registration of our party has been made keeping in mind

 

the time required for the approval of the Election Commission and the party expansion work. 

 

I humbly state here that we are not contesting in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections, we do not support any party and that this decision has been taken in the general body and executive committee.

 

 Finally for me politics is not just another profession; It is a sacred service for people. To know not only the heights of politics but also its length and width, I have been preparing myself for a long time, by learning lessons from many before me and equipping myself mentally for it. Therefore politics is not a hobby for me; That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it. On my behalf, I am going to complete another film related duties that I have already agreed to, without interfering with party work, and fully engage in public service politics. I consider that as my debt of gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu.

 

Thank You.

 

This is you Vijay.

Signed Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam Leader."

#தமிழகவெற்றிகழகம் #TVKVijay https://t.co/Szf7Kdnyvr

— Vijay (@actorvijay) February 2, 2024